Required vs. recommended: Mask policy updates

KSTP
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Amid the latest surge in COVID-19 infections fueled in large part by the more infectious delta variant, local governments and businesses around the Twin Cities are re-evaluating mask mandates to mitigate the spread of the virus.

Take a look at the list below for mask policy updates and details.

MASKS REQUIRED

County/city buildings

  • Inside Hennepin County government buildings as of Aug. 4, 2021
    • All employees, volunteers and visitors over 5 years old must wear a face covering, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings will be available to those who don’t have one.
  • Inside Ramsey County government buildings as of Aug. 4, 2021
    • All employees and visitors to county buildings must wear cloth face coverings, regardless of vaccination status. Free masks will be available at county buildings for visitors who need them.
  • Inside city of Minneapolis-owned buildings as of Aug. 4, 2021
    • In Minneapolis, anyone over 2 years old is required to wear a face mask inside all buildings and facilities operated by the city, and all city employees will be required to wear a mask in all "spaces of public accommodation" within the city.
  • Inside city of St. Paul-owned buildings as of Aug. 4, 2021
    • St. Paul’s guidance also requires all employees and visitors to wear masks inside city-operated indoor facilities. A spokesperson confirmed the city’s mask mandate also applies to those who are over 2 years old. Employees can forego a mask when they are alone at their workspaces and are not in a congregate setting.
  • Inside Brooklyn Center public buildings as of Aug. 9, 2021
    • Public buildings include all city-owned or government entity buildings including schools. This mandate applies to all those over the age of 2 years old.
  • Inside Brooklyn Park city-owned facilities as of Aug. 10, 2021
    • All employees will be required to wear face masks starting Aug. 6, 2021. All visitors are required to wear a face covering regardless of vaccination status starting Aug. 10, 2021.
  • Inside Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) buildings as of Aug. 4, 2021
    • This includes, but is not limited to: Recreation centers, ice arenas, golf course clubhouses, The Trailhead, and all indoor spaces at water parks and the Webber Natural Swimming Pool. This also includes the Mary Merrill Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Headquarters, which, starting Aug. 4, will be open to the public during board meetings.
  • Inside city of New Brighton buildings and facilities operated by the city as of Aug. 9, 2021
    • All visitors over two years old and employees are required to wear cloth face coverings regardless of whether they are vaccinated or not. Face masks will be available to visitors who need one.

Schools

  • Inside all University of Minnesota campus buildings as of Aug. 3, 2021
    • Students, staff, faculty, contractors and visitors must wear masks.
  • Inside Minneapolis Public Schools and buildings as of Aug. 9, 2021
    • Students, staff, faculty, contractors and visitors must wear masks regardless of vaccination status.
    • Masks will also be required on school buses, according to the guidance.
  • Inside all public schools in Brooklyn Center as of Aug. 9, 2021
    • The mandate includes students over the age of 2 years old.

Health care facilities

  • Inside Minnesota Children’s Museum as of Aug. 7, 2021
    • Those age 5 and up must wear a mask inside the building.
    • Children ages 2 through 4 are strongly encouraged to wear a mask.

Travel/transportation

  • While waiting for, and while riding, public transportation
  • Inside Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

Businesses/agencies

  • State employees are required to wear face coverings when in the workplace or public service environment, according to the Minnesota Management and Budget agency.
    • The policy applies to employees, officers, contractors, vendors, volunteers and interns. It now addresses face coverings for vaccinated people.
  • Amazon warehouse workers are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.

MASKS RECOMMENDED

Schools

  • Inside Anoka-Hennepin shool district buildings
    • Masks are recommended, but not required, for all persons including students and staff indoors during the school day.
    • However, students who ride the bus must wear masks, due to the federal mandate.

Businesses/other

  • Inside non-Minneapolis-owned buildings and spaces as of Aug. 4, 2021.
  • Inside non-St. Paul-owned buildings and spaces as of Aug. 4, 2021.
  • First Avenue is encouraging visitors to wear masks and is also requiring proof of a full series of COVID-19 vaccination or proof of a negative test within the past 72 hours of the visit.

MIXED POLICY

  • Target requires face coverings for employees and will "strongly recommend" face coverings for all shoppers.
  • Walmart requires all employees at stores in areas with high infection rates to wear masks. It is encouraging customers to wear masks in those stores in areas with high infection rates.
  • Cub is requiring face masks for all employees, regardless of vaccination status. Face coverings are recommended for customers.
  • Starbucks is requiring face masks for all employees, regardless of vaccination status. It "strongly recommends" face coverings for customers.

PENDING UPDATES

St. Paul Public Schools has pushed back its vote on requiring masks in all schools. The decision was made to push the vote back following the introduction of the resolution during an Aug. 10 meeting with the Committee of the Board. The resolution would require masks for all staff, students and visitors over the age of 2 inside district buildings. The vote is now expected the following week. The resolution would then go to a Board of Education vote.

What locations are requiring COVID-19 vaccination? Here’s a list

Stay with KSTP.com for updates on this list.